Join NARA
Access collective purchasing power, vetted vendor partnerships, and a community of Nashville's best independent restaurant operators.
Free for qualifying independent restaurants. NARA only earns when our negotiations save members money, and not by vendor commissions.
By application only. 50+ Nashville restaurants and counting.
What Members Get
Negotiated Vendor Pricing
Access pre-negotiated rates with all four major broadline distributors and 29+ vetted service providers. Pricing you cannot access as an individual operator.
Peer Network
A confidential community of independent restaurant operators who share knowledge, solve problems together, and support each other.
NARA Connect Events
Bi-annual gatherings connecting you with fellow operators and trusted vendors. Real relationships, not networking theater.
Vendor Vetting
We do the due diligence so you don't have to. Every vendor partner is vetted against our Win-Win-Win standard before they're introduced to members.
Industry Advocacy
Direct representation in vendor negotiations and collective voice on issues affecting Nashville's independent restaurant community.
Ongoing Resources
Industry insights, operational best practices, and access to expertise from across NARA's vendor and member network.
Trusted by Nashville's best independent restaurants
Bad Idea (NYT Top 50) · Tailor (Michelin Recommended) · Lockeland Table (James Beard) · Maiz de la Vida (James Beard) · Rosepepper Cantina · Urban Grub · Germantown Cafe · Homegrown Taproom · and 42 more
Who Can Join
NARA membership is by application. We accept restaurants that meet the following criteria:
Whether you operate one location or multiple concepts, if you meet these criteria, you belong here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does membership cost, and how does NARA make money?
Membership is free for qualifying independent restaurants. NARA earns a small commission from our vendor partners, and we're 100% transparent about every dollar. The model only works if we save you money first. We don't make a dollar unless we're putting more back in your pocket. By streamlining vendors' sales processes and aggregating volume across the alliance, our margins stay small, your costs come down, and a portion of what we earn goes back into supporting Middle Tennessee's independent restaurant community.
How does vendor pricing work?
NARA negotiates directly with vendors on behalf of all members collectively. The combined purchasing volume of 50+ restaurants gives us leverage that individual operators cannot achieve alone. Members access these rates directly through their existing vendor accounts.
Where does NARA operate?
NARA is rooted in Middle Tennessee, but we have the ability to negotiate on behalf of independent restaurants anywhere in the country. If you're local to your town, wherever that town is, we can help.
How is NARA different from a buying group?
Buying groups push volume across a broad catalog. We don't. NARA is hyper-specific: when we sit down with a restaurant, we only help where you actually need help. And we don't disappear after the contract is signed. We stay with you for the life of every agreement we put in place. Whenever you need us, we're there.
How long does it take to join?
The process starts with a conversation. We want to understand your restaurant and ensure NARA is the right fit. Most operators are onboarded within a week of applying.
Apply to Join NARA
What happens next
Questions before applying? Email brandon@naranashville.com or call (615) 476-5259.